Foldable table



April 7, 1942: I s. D. KQVALCHUK 2,279,122

FOLDABLE TABLE Filed Dec. ,lO, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 INVENTOR. I I 14 STEVE'QKUVHZ/DHUK Patented Apr. 7, 1942 UNITED srres pram OFFICE 2,279,122 FOLDABLE TABLE Steve 1). Kovalchuk, Detroit, Mich. Application December 10, 1938, Serial No. 244,905

2 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement ina foldable table and bench adapted for use for the usual purposes to which such articles are put.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a table of this kind which will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture, durable, highly efficient in use, easily and quickly folded into compact position, and easily and quickly get into usable position, and a set which Will also be light.

It is another object of the present invention to provide in o foldable table of this class reinforcing rails hingedly connected to the table and carrying swingably mounted legs so that the device will be easily and quickly folded into a compact form and set in usable formpossessed of maximum rigidity and strength.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.-

The invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing it assembled for use.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view taken from the bottom of the table with the legs in operative position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the table showing it in partly folded position.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the table in fully folded position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View from the bottom showing the bench in partly folded position.

Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective View showing the bench in fully folded position.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a pair of benches connected together after they have been folded in position.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 2, slightly enlarged.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of Fig. 8, slightly enlarged.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line Iii-l0 of Fig. 3, slightly enlarged.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a locking mechanism used on the table with parts broken away and parts shown in section.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the locking mechanism shown in Fig. 11 with parts broken away.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view slightly enlarged taken on line |3-l3 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line M-M of Fig. 5.

As, illustrated in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3, the

table involves a top having side portions or side leaves 20 and 2| hingedly connected together by the hinge 22 to the central body 23 so that the side leaves 20 and 2| may swing into position to extend in alignment with the central body 23 or into position to extend at right angles shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. A reinforcing side rail extends transversely of each of the side leaves 28 and 2| and this reinforcing rail is connected to one part of the hinge 25, the other part 26 of which is connected to the leaf 20 or 2!, as the case may be. As shown in the drawings, these hinges are of considerably greater width than the leg 21 which is also connected thereto so that the necessary body for connection to the rail 24 and the leaf 20 or 2! may be afforded. The rails 26 at opposite sides of the central body 23 are in alignment with a stationary rail 28 which is mounted on the under-surface of the body 23. When the parts 20 and 2! and 23 are in alignment, as shown in Fig. 2, a brace or keeper is used for connecting the rails 24 to the rail 28 so that there is in effect provided a reinforcing rail extending from the opposite edges of the table transversely of the length of the parts 20, 2!, and 23. An angle iron 29 is swingably connected toone of the rails 24 and adapted to swing across the rail '28 and be connected at its free end to the aligning rail 24 This angle iron 29 carries a keeper 30 which is swingably connected thereto at one of its ends and provided with a notch or recess 3| adapted to pass around the neck 32 of a stud which projects outwardly from the rail 24 and extends through an opening 33 formed in the angle iron 29. This stud 32 carries a head 34 so that when the notchbearing plate or keeper 3!) is swung into locking position it will engage around the neck of the stud 32below the head 34. In this way, the rails 24 on opposite sides of the rail 28 are connected'together to form in effect a continuous structure. When the angleirons 29 are swung into operative position, as shown in Fig. 2, it is obvious that the swinging of the leaves 20 or 2| relatively to the central body 23 will be prevented. When in this position, the legs 21 will be extended outwardly into supporting or operative position. Connected at one end to each of these ends is a metal brace 35, the opposite end of which is provided with the angularly turned shoe 36 having a notch 31 formed therein adapted to embrace the stud 38 below the head ticularly, durable.

When it isdesirable-to fold the structure into compact form, the braces 35 are disengaged from the studs 38 and the legs are then swung downwardly to lie against the under-surface of the leaf on which they are mounted. In this movement, the rail 24, to which the leg isattaqhed, will also swing through 90 degrees, but as it swings through 90 degrees-itgwillj lie; with one" of its faces in engagement with the under-surface of the leaf or 2| to which it is attached; the parts' and- 26 of thehingebeing countersunk as clearly shown in Fig. 10. The angle irons; 29 are then releasedv andswung to extend at right angles to, the brace to which they are attached, so that when the legs are swung into positiomsoas toengage the-uhder-surface of the leaf, 20 or 2|, the; angle irons also will engage, this under-surface. It. will, be noted that the legs on the leaf 20 are offset from each other relatively to the outer edge of this leaf, and the same, applies to the legs which-are attached to the leaf 2|, so that-when they are swung into foldedposition they do not align with eachother, but lie side by side, as clearly shown in- Fig. 3. When the legs arein folded position, the leaves Hand 2! may then be placed in position to extend, at right angles'to the central body 23. swingably mounted on the leaf 2B are hook bars 40, carrying a hook'4l at its free-end and adapted to engage the eyelet 42 carried by the opposite leaf, 2|. These hooks 4| will engage in the eyelet 42 to retain the parts in their folded position, as shown in Fig. 4. Thus the table is brought into a very compact position, and retained in su-ch a position after being so folded.

The set also embodies the benches which are clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. Each of these benches embodies a seat portion 43 which is an elongated board and to which there is connected thebutt portion 4!! of an hinge, the other portion 45 of which is connected to the cross-head 46 from which project the legs 41 and 48. The construction at opposite sides of the seat is the same so that a description of one will sufiice for both. Hingedly connected to the upper edge of the hinge portion 45 is a hinge, strap 49, to which is connected one endof a brace 50,- the opposite end carrying a terminal portion 5| having a.swingable tongue 52 swingable into a recess 53 beneath a .plate- 54 connected on the under-surface of the seat 43 so that the brace may be locked into braced position, as shown in Fig. 5. When it is desired to swing the device intoia compact form, this brace is raised at its lower end and the legs are swung into position as shown in Fig. 6. After they have been swung into this position, the pair of benches may be connected together by the connecting bars 55 engaging in hooks 56 so that the sets are held in compact form. This is also believed to be a simple, compact, and durable structure, and highly efiicient for the purposes intended.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred forms of construction, I do not wish to limitmyself, to the. precise, details .of structure shown, but wish to avail myself, of such shaped in cross-section; av transversely extending reinforcement rail fixedly mounted onthe under, surface of. said central portionat each of the ends thereof; a transversely extendingreinforcement rail mounted on the under, surface of each of said leaves adjacenteach end,ther.eof, the rails on said leaves being, swingableonto a longitudinal axis intoalignment withQand, clear of the corresponding railonsaid centralportion and, when swung into alignment: therewith, up.-

on, the swinging of said leaves to the same plane of said central portion, engaging with said,.sta,

tionary rail at opposed ends for preventingswinging of said leaves relatively to. said'centralportion.

2. A foldable table of. the, class describeicomprising: a top having a stationary central portion; a pair of side leaves swingably connected at oneof their edges to the edges of said' central portion, said central portion lying betweensaid leaves,,and said leaves being swingable into the plane of said central, portionandinto a position to extend at right anglesthereto, forming with said central portion a structure U shaped in cross-section; a transversely extending reinforce! ment rail fixedly mounted on the under surface of said central ,portionat each of the ends thereof; a transversely extending reinforcementrail mounted on theunder surfaceof each .of said leaves adjacent each end thereof, the rails. on said leaves being swingable onto a longitudinal axis into alignment with and clear of the corresponding rail onsaid central portion and, when swung into alignment therewith, upon the swing; ing of said leaves to the same plane of said central portion, engaging with said, stationary; rail at opposed ends for preventing swi ing of said leaves relatively to said central portion; and means engageable vn'th said rails for preventing the swinging of said swingable rails out of said alignment.

. STEVE D. KOVALCHUK. 

